Properties of Concrete

A basic study on the characterization of the multi-scale properties of concrete has been conducted. The microstructure composition and mechanical properties of concrete at the various scales were investigated using multiple techniques including SEM-BSE/EDX TGA XRD nanoindentation and nondestructive ultrasonic tests. Through the study on the relationship between the microstructure composition and mechanical properties the microstructural features of C-S-H gel were revealed and the current understanding was improved. Considering the heterogeneous nature of concrete over a large range of scales micromechanics (and micro-poromechanics) were adopted in this work to link the elastic (and poroelastic) properties of concrete through the different scales.